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Aug. 26, 1930. v MAUCK 1,773,919

' GSVWATEH HEATER Filed Feb. 26, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FJGI.

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GAS WATER HEATER Filed Feb. 26, 1927 3 vSheets-Sheet 2 Hertz/z. .5' Z

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Aug. 26,1930. v MAUcK v GAS WATER HEATER Filed Feb. 26, 1927 consequence p' 'Patented Aug. 26,' i1930 vrc'ron manoir, or MEIoN, rENNsnvaNIA u Gas WATER HEATER Application led February 26, 1927. Scria1`11'o. 171,237.

plied with gas under control of a therm' statically operative valve arranged to minutew ly regulate a small volume of gas passingrto the burnerI and to temporarily permit the" passa e of a muchlarger volume of gas to the same urner. Such heaters have been largely manufcatured and sold, under my direction, and I find from such experience that if the thermostatically controlled' valve is adjusted to maintain the minimum supply oflgas when the water reaches the predetermined tem- Lperature; a.Y momentary abnormal demand upon the gas supply in the neighborhood of such a heater may diminish the gas pressure at the heater to sucha 4de ee that such minimum flames are extingulshed, without any means for automatically shuttin oi the ensuing flow of unconsumed gas, w ich flow is,

of course, augmented `by the continued operation of the thermostatically controlled valve as the temperature of the Water falls.

Therefore, it is the object and eiect ofmy. 30 invention to provide. means, in coordinated relation with such a thermostatically controlled valve, adapted to cut oil the supply of gas'to the latter if and when the flames at the burner are thus accidentally extin-l .35 guished. i

As hereinafter described, the object aforesaid is attained by roviding a pilot flame supplied through :i ypass around'the ther-y mostatically controlled valve which deter- 40 mines the supply of gas to the main burner. andassociating with such pilot burner and itsfautomaticcontrolling mechanism a dian phragm lvalve through which the supply of gais is delivered both to the mainl burner and l5to thejg,pilotv l"said -diaphragm valve p c Y d arranged to be operlatedf-by baclri of the gas to shut ot v thespply-o jf l,to the main burner, as a l. y ffthe automatic shutting .o of y the''spply o'f'fgsfto the pilot burner orifice.

with, but eccentric to, the axis'ofsaid container shell 1.

"te lower end of the-hot water' riser ppc 16,

My inventionincludes. the various novel features 'ofconstruction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

In said drawings; F g. I is a plan view of' a gas water heater o the thermostatically controlled type aforesaid, conveniently embodying my invention. Fig. II is a plan sectional viewvof said-heater, taken on the line II, II in Fig. III. 'Fig. III is a vertical sectional view of said heater, takeny on the oo line III, III in Figs. I and II. Fig. IV is 4 a fragmentar vertical sectional view, taken on the line I IV in Fig. II, but on a larger scale, showing the construction and arrangement ofthe pilot burner and diaphragm o5 valve,and their appurtenances. Fig. V is a vertical sectional view of the dia hra valve, taken on the 'line V, V in Fig. VI is a' sectional View, taken on the line VI, VI im V' showingl the stop and vent 70 valve. igs. VII and-VIII are sectional views showing a modified form of pilot.- burner. y

Insaid'tigures; the water container comprises the cylindrical metal shell 1 having the cold water vinlet 2 and the hot water outlet 3 at the top thereof, and the combustion chamber 5 at the bottom thereof.` The. diaphragm 6 forms the bottom closure of the water space 7 in said container 1, and the top of said combustion chamber. The flue 10 has its lower end connected with said diaphragm 6, and extends tothe outeratmosphere, through said water container, parallel The hollow oblate Waterv spreader 11 is mounted eccentric vrelation with -said diaphragm nd extendingfbelow the latter lin said combustion chamber; having at its upper portion, v`in coaxial relation, an externally screw threaded neck lange12 -surrounded by i the internally and externally screw threaded fusible metal vsleeve 13 extending in a corresponding opening surrounded by the flange y14 in said diaphragm 6. Said spreader has, in coaxial relation therewith, but eccentric to said container, the socket 15, engaged with tance which latter terminates a Short 45 'Y ply conduit 33 with the manually operative" tively opposite sides of said'socket 15 and in communication with the water space 7 through said spreader neck 12.

The water drain pipe 21 extends `:trom the bottom of said'spreader 11 to the exterior of said combustion chamber 5, where it is provided with the drain cock 22 through which sediment may be withdrawn from said spreader. The collar 23 encircles said drain pipe 21 and is provided with the set screw 24 to secure it in adjusted position, as a support for the main gas burner 26. Said main gas burner is a hollow horseshoe-shaped body, having the radially extending cross bars 27 forming axial bearings 28 embracing said drain pipe 21 and resting upon said collar 23. The mixing tube 30 extends from said burner body 26 in eccentric tangential relation thereto, but in diametrical relation with said container 1 and combustion chamber 5, as best shown in Fig. II, and is slip fitted over the gas supply tube 31. The arrangement is such that said burner 26 may be readily withdrawn and replaced laterally with respect to said pipe 21 and collar 23 which support it.

As indicated in Fig. I, the gas conduit 33 leading to said burner 26 has the automatically, thermostatically operative, valve 34 arranged to control it in accordance with the expansion andv contraction ofthe thermostatic element in the tube 35 which is rigidl connected with said valve. Said tube 35 eX- tends diametrically in the water space 7 in said container shell 1 between said Hue pipe 10 and hot water riser pipe 16, and said valve 34 and tube 35 are detachably connected with said container shell 1 by the screw thread 36 on the valve casing engaging the spud 37 in said shell.

I find it convenient to provide said gas supstop cock 39 leading'to said conduit 31 between said automatic valve 34 and said burner 26; and also to providethe manually operative needle valve 40 in said conduit 31 between said stop cock 39 and said burner 26 to control the elfective area of the gas-inlet A port within said conduit 31.

The construction and arrangement above described are such that after the gas is lighted at the main burner 26, the gas supply is automatically varied, by the operation of the thermostatically controlled valve 34, in accordance withthe temperature of the water in the reservoir s ace 7, to maintain the mass of waterin saidp space at a predetermined temperature, say, 170 F.; the supply of' gas being automatically increased n when hot water is withdrawn from the outlet 3 with consequent inow of cold water through the inlet 2, and diminished as the water is raised to the predetermined temperature by the heat from said burner 26; the flames at the burner 26 being reduced to the minimum height when the temperature of the water is raised -to the maximum. As' aforesaid; when the flow of gas to the main burner 26 is thus reduced to the minimum by the operation of the valve 34,; the ames '41 at the Vburner 26 are liable to be accidentally extinguished .by momentary lessening of the pressure of the gas in said supply pipe 33 from any cause; for instance, by an abnormal demand upon the gas supply in the neighborhood of the heater, and although means are provided, as above described, whereby -the flow of gas to the burner may be manually shut off; the structure describedA does not include any means for apprising'the user that the'ilames 41 have been thus extinguished at the main burner g 26and that the gas is flowing Atherethrough unconsumed and with increasing volume.

Therefore; in order to .maintain the main g burner 26 practically continuously operative under such abnormal uctuations in gaspressure; I provide inean's to relight it automatically, including the pilot burner 42 which is su plied with gas independently of said valve 4, so that the pilot flame 43 may remain lighted when the flames of the main burner 26 are extinguished; land provide, in coordinated relation with both the main burner 26 and said pilot burner 42, means for automatically shutting oli the supply of gas to both, if and when the fiames of both of said y burners are accidentally extinguished.

Said pilot burner 42 'is a metallic tube. preferably copper, which is detachably rigidly mounted in the base 45 which is conveniently provided with the clamp member 46 for cooperation with the clamp member 47 with which it is connected by the screws 48 to tightly embrace said water pipe 21 and thus maintain said base 45 in predetermined vertical position with' respect to the burner 26. Said tube 42 encases the carbon rod 50 which is arranged to cooperate with said tube 42. as a thermostatic couple, to close the jet orifice 52, through which gas is normally supplied to said pilotflamc 43; such closure beingr effected vat a predetermined temperature which may be adjustably varied. I prefer to form said jet orifice 52 in the cap 53 on said tube and to provide the valve 54 with spring means 55 arranged to normally open said orifice by retraction-of said valve 54 from the seat'56; the stem of said valve 54 being uted to permit the passage of gas to said orifice from the tubular space 57 in said tube 42.v Said valve 54 is thus spring pressed downwardly upon the upper end of said carbon rod 50; the coeiicient of expansion of which, under increments of temperature, being such that it remains of substantiall constant length throughout the range o tem perature tofwhich it is subjected. Onthe contrary, the coeicientof expansion ofthe tube 42 is such as to vary its length to open and closesaid orifice at predetermined temperatures which may be adj ustably varied by changing the relative position of said carbon rod in said tube which rests uponthe adjusting'screw 5,8` which .is tightly fitted in..

in valve 61. Said valve`casing` is attached to the cover 62 of the diaphragm valve casing 63,-I and. has the gas passage 64 leading from the chamber 65.'in said cover 62, above the diaphragm 67, to the pilot burner 42,

'20 and hasthe gas lvent 68 opening directly to theatmosphere. Said valve 61 has the port 69, and maybe manually turned to vary the flow of gas from saidy chamber 65 tothe pilot burner, or to open said vent 68 and thus relieve the ydiaphragm 67 Vof gaspressure above it. `when the pilot ,burner is closed.

' `Said diaphragm valve casing 63 has the assageway 70 leading to said gas pipe 33, eading to the main burner.26,'and gas for 30 'both burners is suppliedr through the pipe 71 in communication with the passageway 72, in said casing 63, terminating in the seat 73 for the diaphragm valve 75. "Said valve 75 is adapted to close said passageway 72 and '13,-, shut 0E the'supply of gas to the main burner 26 whenever the pressure above said diaphragm 67 equals the pressure belo`w it, which is when'said pilot burner orifice 52 Y is closed. However, when either said orifice q 5,2 orL said vent 68 `is open, said diaphragm Tis relieved of back pressure, of the gas, and

is li'ftedfand'ffupheld by the grasl flowingA vthroli h the passageway-7 2 to the main burner 26: t uslpermitting such supply of gas to 45 said burner 26g`ftofbevariably controlled by the therinostaticivalve 34 as'above described. Saidfvalv'e`75 `has the bleed. port 76 continually permitting the passage of gas for Y the pilot flame43 when the pilot orifice 52 is 'f open. lHowever, when said orifice 52 is closed and the diaphragm.-valvle@` `its i a5' throng by the operation of the thermostaticc'ouple 42, 50, as above described,v the .gas pressure above' the diaphragm 67, inthe chamber-65, .A

'.with said carbon rod 50; itis to be understood bcomesequal to that belowffi'siaid ldiaphragm seat73.' z

Said gas controlling-devices operate'as ifollows: The adjusting'scr'e'w 58v mayf be set 1 .so that the relative position of the carbon z 60 rod l50 in the cop r tube 42 is such that the pilot orifice 5 2 is c at 400 F., but opened 'at anyA higher tem opened gas is supplied-from the pipe 71 h the-diaphragm valve casing 63, pipe 'from the mainvburner V26 reopens the rature. The stop cock u,39 and vent 68 of t e valve casing 60being 33, valve 34 etc., to the burner 26 and may be manually ignited at the latter. Combustion of gas at the main burner 26, immediately heats the pilot burner tube 42 above 400 F.; opens the orifice 5 2, and ignites the gas thereat to form the pilot flame 43: rl,`here after, momentary diminution of the gas pressure, which may be sufcient to extinguish the' llames 41 of the main gas burner 26,

fails to extinguish the pilot flame 43y which v is separately supplied as aforesaid. VComequently, when the normal gas pressure is ref stored, the gas escaping through the orifices -78 of the burner 26 is relighted in flames 41 by the pilot flame 43. Similarly, if said pilot flame 43 be accidentally7 extinguished, while gas issuing from said pilot burner orifice 52 is-relightedl by said flames 41. However, if both the llames 41 and 43 /befaccidentally l'the main burner flames `41 are present; the

extinguished; the temperature of the ther-i gas lto the burner 26.

To relight the burners; the valve 61 maybe turned ninety degrees countercloclwise from the position shown in Fig. VI, to open said vent68, thus releasing the gas pressure above lits seat 73 and' thus shut off the supply of Y ,the diaphragmv 67; whereupon, said dia-- phragm valve 75 is opened by the as vpressure from the supply pipe 71; an the, gas

issuing through the mainburner 26 may be manually relighted in flames 41.vv The heat pilot burner and restores the pilot flame 43.

Although. I prefer to provide the pilot burner with means for changing the relative position of the thermostatic elements 42 and 50, including'the screw58 above described; it is to be understood that said elementsv 42 and 50`ma be made of predetermined standard lengt and such adjusting means be omitted. Moreover, althoughv I fi-nd it convenient to provide the upper end of said pilot burner tube 42 with aprimarily separate cap 53 inv which the pilot burner -orifice 52 1s formed, and to control the latter by the spring pressed valve 54 actuated by coordinationv Ito the thermostatic tube 42.

Said pilot burner 42 requires a s ace of greater vertical extent than is avai able in some forms of gas water heaters. Therefore, v

I have shown, in Figs. VII and VIII, a modified form of my invention, wherein the pilot burner tube 82 is substituted for the burner tubea2`aforesaid, but otherwise' connected as saidtube 42 vis shown and described. Said tubeBQ'is-provided with the cap' 83 having the portg84in the valve seat 85 which is controlled.-by the plunger valve 86 operatively connected with the thermostatic couple 87 and 88, whichv is a normally plane strip and supported at its ends upon the arms 89 of said cap. Said structure is arranged to close said port 84 ata predetermined minimum temperat'ure, for instance, 400 F., and, when heated above. that temperature, said couple 87 is expanded upwardly, as indicated in dotted linesin Fig. VIII, so as to uplift the valve 86 and permit the passage of gas through said port 84 to the orifice 90 where j flame 43; "a

itis ignited to form the pilot flame 91 which performs the vsame function as hthe pilot to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein set iforth, as it is obvious vthat various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention, as defined in the appended claims. i

I claim:

1. In a gas burner, the combination with a metal tube, having a gas jet orifice; of a valve for said orifice; a spring tending to open said valve; a carbon rod in said tube and arranged to clse said orifice, by said valve, at a predetermined temperature of said tube; byreason of the difference in coefficients of expansion of said tube and rod.

.2. In a gas burner, the combination with a metal tube, having a gas jet orifice, at one Y end thereof; of a valve for said orifice; a

spring tendingto open said valve; a carbon rod extending coaxially in said tube and arranged to close said orifice, by said valve, at a predetermined temperature! of said tube; by reason of the difference in coefficients of expansion of said tube and rod.

3. In a gas burner, the combination with a metal tube, having a gas jet orifice; of a valve for said orifice; a spring tending to open said valve; a carbon rod in said tube and arranged to close said orifice, bysaid valve, at a predetermined temperature of sald tube; by reason of the difference in coefiicients of expansion of said tube and rod;

and means arranged to adjustabl vary the relative position of saidl tube and rod, and thereby vary the temperature at which said orifice is closed.

4. In agas burner, the combination with a base; of a metal tube detachably rigidly mounted on said base; a cap on said tube having a gas jet orifice; valve'means in 'said tube movable to close said orifice; spring means arranged to normally open said orifice; and

a carbon rod in said tube, in cooperative relation with said valve means; whereby said orifice is automatically closed when said tube is at a certain temperature.

5. In a gas burner, the combination with a base; of a meta-l tube detachahly rigidly mounted on said base; a cap on said tube hav- .ing a gas jet orifice; valve means in said tube movable to close said'orifice; spring means arranged to normally open said orifice; a carbon rod in said tube, in cooperative relation with said valve means; and a set screw in said base, movable to adjust said rod toward and away from said orifice; whereby said orifice is automatically closed when said tube is at a certain temperature, which may be variably determined by the adjustment of said screw.

6. 'Ihe combination with a pilot gas burner having a jet orifice, of a main gas burner,

separate gas outlets, respectively leading to said burners, and a Single gas supply inlet,

common to lboth of S/aid outlets; and means arranged to Vary the flow of gas to said main burner, independently of said pilot burner, including a thermostatically controlled 0 valve, between said main burner and the valve casing outlet leading to that burner; a flexible diaphragm in said valve casing, separating said outlets, and having said inlet upon one side thereof; and a valve carried by said diaphragm, adapted to automatically shut Voff the flow of as, through said casing outlet, to said main urner, by movement of said diaphragm, when said orifice is closed.

7. Thel combination with a pilot gas burner having afjet orifice; of a main gas burner, in cooperative relation therewith; means, common to both burners, arranged to supply gas thereto, including a valve casing having separate gas outlets,-respectively leading to said burners, and a single gas supply outlet, common to both of said outlets; and means arranged to vary the flow of gas to said main burner, independently of said pilot burner, including a thermostatically controlled valve, between said main burner and the valve casing outlet leading to that burner; a 'fi/exible diaphragm in said valve casing, separating said outlets, and having said inlet upon one side thereof; a valve carried by said diaphragm, adapted to automatically shut off the flow df gas, through said casing outlet, to said main burner, by movement ofsaid diaphragm, when said orifice is closed; said diaphragm valve having a bleed port leading from said common gas inlet to the casing outlet leading to said pilot burner; whereby,V

'in communication with said gas supply inlet when said pilot burner orifice is open.

8. The combination with a main gas burner and a pilot gas burner, in cooperative relation; of a thermostatic couple, arranged to control said pilot burner in accordance with the temperature of the latter; means arranged to supply gas to both burners, including a valve casing having gas outlets, leading to the respective burners, and a common gas inlet; a flexible diaphragm in said valve casing between said gas outlets, and having said gas inlet upon one side'thereof; a valve carried by said diaphragm, arranged to Control the passage of gas through the respective casing outlet to said main burner; and a constantly open bleed port leading from said gas inlet to the casing outlet leading to said pilot burner; whereby said diaphragm valve is normally held open, by the pressure of gas from said inlet, to permit the supply of gas to said main burner, when said pilot burner is open; but said diaphragm valve is closed, to shut olf the gas to said main burner, when said pilot burner is closed.

9. The combination with a main gas burner; of a pilot burner; means controlling the relative volumes of the supply of gas to both burners, and including a valve casing inclosing a diaphragm having a gas supply inlet and an outlet to said main burner upon one side of said diaphragm, and an outlet to said pilot burner and a vent to the atmosphere, upon the other side of said diaphragm; and means movable to open and close said vent.

10. The combination with a main gas burner; of a pilot burner; means controlling the relative volumes of the supply of gas to both burners, and including a valve casing inclosing a diaphragm having a gas supply inlet and an outlet to said main burner upon one side of said diaphragm, and an outlet to said pilot burner and a vent to the atmosphere, upon the other side of said diaghragm; thermostatic means arranged to automatically open and close said pilot burner; and means movable to open and close said vent.

In testimonyv whereof, I have hereunto.

signed my name at Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, this eleventh day of. February, 1927. VICTOR MAUCK. 

